Whether scoring or creating, makes the difference for Paris Saint-Germain.
His team-leading 10 goals have played a huge part in helping titleholder PSG reach a second straight Champions League final.
His superb assist put PSG ahead early in a on Wednesday for a 6-5 aggregate win against the six-time champions. That came after the 25-year-old Georgia star’s two goals helped PSG win .
Kvaratskhelia was irrepressible in the semifinals, just as was against Monaco, and earlier in the Champions League campaign.
His awareness led to PSG’s goal three minutes into the return leg and put Bayern on the back foot immediately, when many observers expected PSG to struggle early on.
even started the move that led to PSG’s goal.
Catching Bayern’s midfield napping by dropping deep, he then released Fabi谩n Ruiz with a brilliant flick with the outside of his right foot.
He then spun around to collect Ruiz’s excellent first-time pass before sprinting down the left and picking out Demb茅l茅 with a fine pass across the penalty area. Demb茅l茅 shot powerfully into the roof of the net for his seventh goal of the competition.
Bayern had some spells of possession but never recovered from the early blow and, at the end, Kvaratskhelia鈥檚 boundless energy and runs almost led to another PSG goal.
鈥淲e have a magnificent team, a young team, we fight together,” PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said. “We have stars but everyone fights. Look at the last minute, Kvara is cooked (but) kept fighting.”
Demb茅l茅 was PSG’s key player last season, and now it could be Kvaratskhelia’s turn to shine when PSG faces Arsenal in the final on May 30.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very happy, we know it will be very difficult against Arsenal,鈥� Kvaratskhelia said. 鈥淚鈥檓 working every day and getting back with assists or goals. I will do everything for the team.鈥�
Real Madrid won three straight times from 2016-18.
Seamless selection
PSG coach Luis Enrique has shown remarkable flexibility with his team selections, astutely coping with and juggling positional changes without disrupting the efficiency of his team.
Ruiz only recently returned from a knee injury sustained against Sporting on Jan. 22 and took the place of Warren Za茂re-Emery, who in turn dropped down to right back to replace the injured
It made little difference to PSG’s rhythm.
Za茂re-Emery had a solid game and largely contained the runs of winger Luis D铆az, who scored a brilliant goal in the first leg and against PSG in a group-stage win in November.
Kvaratskhelia’s ability to defend or attack with equal commitment and aplomb is symbolic of PSG under Luis Enrique.
鈥淲hat characterizes us is our mentality,鈥� PSG defender Willian Pacho said. 鈥淥ur forwards help us a lot and we help them to attack.鈥� ___
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